Asus reportedly delays Transformer Prime for Ice Cream Sandwich

Asus was originally set to debut its quad-core tablet, the Transformer Prime, later this week but a last minute delay has pushed things back a month. According to DigiTimes, the tablet has been postponed until early December in order to have Android 4.0 installed. Allegedly this is said to be a bit of damage control on Google’s part as Asus is rumored to have been unhappy with how they were treated in the past.

Since Google has cold-shouldered Taiwan-based PC brand vendors over the assistance of upgrading from Android 3.0 to 4.0, it has prompted these vendors to turn their focus from Android to Microsoft’s Windows 8, the sources noted.

With so many players involved in the Android tablet game, it becomes easy to overlook a vendor or two. Google has ‘played favorites’ with HTC, Motorola, and Samsung on a number of devices, and on multiple occasions. It stands to reason that a player like Asus could become unhappy with their treatment, especially when the hardware is as good as anyone else.

On a positive note, a few weeks delay for the latest release of Android is certainly not the worst situation. Surely those of you who pre-ordered a Transformer Prime are going to be okay with 4.0, no?

In addition to smartphones and mobile gadgets, Scott has a deep appreciation for film, music, and sunflower seeds. A husband and father, he likes spending down time riding his mountain bike or binge-watching TV. Scott has overseen the day-to-day activities of AndroidGuys since 2007.

Well, it’s not really a month seeing as the official announcement was scheduled for 9th Nov (still going ahead) and the release was probably going to be a week or two after that. Creeping into December only equates to a 2 week delay. The Transformer Prime is currently looking like it’ll be my first tablet. Aside from the awesome design hardware and ICS software, I’m really sold on Asus’s amazing support for updates. It will be a huge loss if Asus jump ship to Windows 8 (or even if their focus is partially diverted). All other tablet manufacturers could learn from Asus with regards to their update support as it is simply the best.

Fitzgerald

The problem is ASUS has made NO PROVISION FOR PREORDERS which leaves potential customers in the lerch who were ready to purchase this product. Now those who have already held off for months may look elsewhere because ASUS has not taken the opportunity to seize the moment and allow preorders.

Fitzgerald

The problem is ASUS has made NO PROVISION FOR PREORDERS which leaves potential customers in the lerch who were ready to purchase this product. Now those who have already held off for months may look elsewhere because ASUS has not taken the opportunity to seize the moment and allow preorders.

Frank Conitcello

Very disappointing. I’ve been holding off purchasing a tablet since news of this tablet leaked but this delay will probalby push me to the iPad.

Bad BAD BAD marketing and timing. They will miss key holiday shopping days and drive a few frustrated buyers away. They are much better off releasing an ICS “Ready” HC tablet asap to lock in their target market then appear benevolent by providing free updates to ICS. What in the world are they thinking?